I’ve been operating on a Bosch 4100 job site for a few years. Not making gnarly stuff yet. My dad job is education but I enjoy making things for my house and my niece and nephew. Finishing up a toy chest currently.

The Bosch 4100 is nice but I find big pieces is tough because the distance to front of the blade is shallow. The fence sucks and I can’t get it square, always out 1/16.

I’m going to start making pieces to sell and came across a 2011 1.75 PCS sawstop with 30” fence. Comes with the added over ram dust collection system, mobile base, 1hp dust motor, additional cartridge and blade. Blades I think are freud home depot brand.

That said, seller is at $1900 now, down from $2,300 and 1.5 hours from my house. Bet I could get it for $1,700

Questions: Is the 3hp model something I’ll be wishing I went with? Never see those used and new would be double the cost.

Is the 30” fence adequate? I can upgrade to a 36 or 52 later right?

6 replies so far

You can upgrade the fence (and the motor if you want) at a later date. A 30” fence will do a lot of stuff, but there may be occasion that you need more room…bit you can do it later. As for the motor…the 1.75 HP will do everything the 3 will do, it’s can just be a lot slower at times. I went from a 1.5 HP to a 3, and more recently to a 5 HP…...but i cut a lot of wood on my first saw quite well. I also checked into changing a 5 HP 3 phase saw to single phase. The motor from SS was $300 (5 HP, ICS) and an electrical box (3 phase to single phase stuff) was another $100. I think you will do well with that saw ($1700 would be a good price) and you can actually watch for a used SS fence, for whatever reason I’ve seen several show up recently. Good luck with your decision. A least for now, the SS customer service is just unbeatable….they will help you with anything you need.

Since the PCS is left tilt, and I believe the front rail is a solid piece, you can slide the rail over by one bolt hole to gain close to 10 inches more capacity without drilling.

Freud doesn’t have any HD brand blades….if they’re the “Avanti/Avanti Pro” blades that HD sells, they’re just about worthless for wwing IMO. If they’re Freud Industrial, Freud Diablo, or older Freud Avanti (be sure they say “Freud”), they could be worth a little if they’re fresh.

You might wish for 3hp someday…it’s noticeable, but that can be upgraded later….or just resell the saw and get 3hp.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

They keep their value pretty good. While the 1.75 is a good saw, Min, I would go is 3hp. I’ve had all flavors of saws from table top’s to contractors, to all-in-ones, to cabinet saw. No comparrison, and I just upgraded my 3hp to a 5hp. 3HP will handle 90% ok, I wanted the 5hp because I make beds and cut 12 & 16 Qtr. You will love the Sawstop no matter the model. I’d get the SN and call sawstop and ask if there is a history of issues. Good luck.

This saw brand new is $2300. The home depot blades are not worth much, but the other add-ons you mention bring the price to about $3000. So IF (a big if) the saw is in truly good shape $1900 is fair. The questions would be the condition of the saw and if you really want these add-ons. A visual inspection will tell you a lot about the general condition of the saw, but ascertaining the life left in the motor would be more challenging. If its had miles of 8/4” stock forced through it may be near burning out. I do not know how to determine if the motor is good. Maybe you might want to research this. As for the add-ons: If you are not going to be moving the saw around the base is a waste. Also some people find the over arm obstructive, though the dust collection is supposed to be awesome. So if the add-ons are something you really will use and want and the saw is good buy it. However if the add-ons are not going to be used then I would just buy the saw new and get the warranty.

I got the serial and called Sawstop. Its a 2010 model and warranty registered in 2011. So probably bought in 2011. It was registered to a small cutting board maker or something, I’m trying to google it. No warranty claims on the saw.

The seller is a neighbor. Apparently the owner of the cutting board business passed away 3 years ago and the wife is having the neighbor sell the tools. Comes with 3 freud blades, some sound new and another stop brake. The saw was used for 6 months and then stored after the owner passed away.

I have a 2 stall garage and debating if I have the space. Technically I do but it means I probably wont be parking in the garage for a while. Also wanted to add a scope to nice rifle of mine. I’m only 33 but already can tell as you get older your hobbies get more expensive ;)

I’m trying to convince myself that I can sell my bosch for $400 and the new saw will motivate me to make more things to sell locally. Also peace of mind.

My fathers a contractor of 30+ years and I know he’s gonna give my crap for getting it haha!